Out of Darkness, initially known as The Origin, is a survival horror thriller film set roughly 45,000 years ago during the Upper Paleolithic era, marking the feature debut of the Scottish director Andrew Cumming. The plot revolves around a small band of six early humans who cross a sea in search of new land, only to be stranded on a barren unforgiving coastline. The struggle against the elements is filled with hunger, relentless cold, and a fostering desolation. To make matters worse, a predator stalks the group at night.
The group comprises:
Adem, the authoritative leader, is driven by the hope of a new life for his people.
Ave, his wife, is both pregnant and represents hope and continuity.
Geirr, Adem’s younger brother, a cautious fighter.
Heron, Adem’s young son and a symbol of innocence.
Beyah, a teenage “stray” outsider who is desperate to belong.
Odal, the elder and spiritual counselor who is steeped in superstition.
The group is battling against the cold elements with a poor shelter, the worst broken weather, and worst of all scarce food. Morale is at an all time low and then… on a fateful night the group loses Heron to an unseen predator. Now the group has to search for the lost boy and reclaim what is now lost. Trust collapses and desperation ignites.
The creature stalking them turns out to be a female Neanderthal who is either hunting or defending her territory, leading to a climactic battle where Beyah wards off the male Neanderthal, stabbing him to protect herself and the boy. Geirr confronts the female Neanderthal and is killed, but Beyah ultimately defeats the female. Beyah discovers Heron alive in the cave, where the Neanderthals had cared for him. Despite this, Beyah kills the female and, along with Heron, buries the remains pledging to continue their struggle and hope for survival, saying, “We try again.”
Cast & Crew
Director & Writers
Captured with high tension and atmospheric storytelling, Andrew Cumming is the film’s director.
Ruth Greenberg is the writer and her script centers around primal fear and human connection in harsh circumstances.
Principal Cast
Safia Oakley-Green (Beyah) – A young outcast trying to find her place within a group, an emotional anchor of the film.
Chuku Modu (Adem) – A strained and burdened leader whose choices shape the group’s destiny.
Kit Young (Geirr) – Loyal but questioning, Geirr is Adem’s younger brother whose brave but ill-fated decisions are a source of tragedy.
Iola Evans as Ave – The pregnant partner of Adem, she encapsulates optimism for what is yet to come.
Luna Mwezi as Heron – Adem’s son whose kidnapping sets off the main conflict of the story.
Arno Lüning as Odal – The elder of the group, guardians of lore, epitomizing tradition and superstition.
Technical Team Highlights
Music by Adam Janota Bzowski, fusing rhythmical and primal tribal elements with unnerving, atmospheric soundscapes.
Cinematography: Ben Fordesman, capturing the stark desolation and breathtaking beauty of the Scottish Highlands, as well as the suffocating intimacy of forest interiors.
Language: Performed fully in a конструированном языке (constructed language) Тола (Tola) which draws from Arabic, Basque, and Sanskrit, enhancing authenticity and immersion.
Production & Release
The film’s concept transitioned to a sharply focused survival narrative set in the distant past, with the intention of filming in Scotland devoid of modern language. It was shot in Scotland in late 2021, using the Highlands and rugged coastlines for their stark isolation and raw natural beauty. The cast was physically trained for the grueling outdoor shoot.
“Primal Survival” was part of the BFI London Film Festival in October 2022 and the film was later showcased in the Glasgow Film Festival in early 2023. Bleecker Street released the film in North American theaters in February 2024. The film is 87 minutes long.
At the British Independent Film Awards, the film was recognized for the Ruth Greenberg writing nomination along with Safia Oakley-Green’s winning performance. The film also received BAFTA Scotland nominations for Best Feature Film and Best Actress.
Thematic Focus
Primal Survival
This film reduces any human conflict down to three primal parts—hunger, fear, and the dark. The lack of any comforts and the absence of language heightens the immediacy of danger.
Language and Immersion
An audience accompanies with the characters. Viewers must interpret tone, body language, and facial movements which makes emotional engagement much deeper.
Fear of the Other
In the beginning of the film, Neanderthals appear to be a monstrous threat, and in the last part of the film, the audience is shown they are rather human. This urges the audience to rethink the idea of human conflict—not as a good versus evil tale, but as two sentient species competing for existence.
Atmosphere and Cinematic Approach
Natural light, fire, and the Scottish wilderness add layers to the realism. The film’s score and sound design bring attention to silences, slow movements, and wind and water, creating tension without the use of jump scares.
Cycle of Violence
The final moments of the film suggest that violence is, at once, both a means to
survive and a deeply tragic aspect of life. Beyah’s choice to kill, despite knowing Heron was unharmed, reinforces the deeply-rooted human tendency to confront and eliminate threats, whether they are actual or imagined.
Critical Reception
Praise
The film has been applauded for its setting and the level of realism it maintained. Critics highlighted Safia Oakley-Green’s performance as particularly gripping and said the film’s sound design and cinematography was haunting in a way that the landscape was a character in the film as well. Some dubbed it the most original horror film of the year for its art-house framework and primal tension.
Mixed Opinions
Some reviewers felt that the pace in the second half of the film did not work, as it contrasted with the momentum built in the opening scenes. Others pointed to not enough attention to character backstories, although the sparse approach was meant to add a layer of mystery.
General Comments
Out of Darkness might not have the typical jump scares of a horror movie, yet it resonates with viewers for its eerie atmosphere, rich themes, and seldom-utilized cinematic locations.
Final Comments
Out of Darkness is, perhaps, one of the most innovative modern horror and survival films. It is set in the Stone Age, which, alongside the absence of contemporary language, is a stark narrative choice and achieves a precious degree of immersion. Additionally, it explores the fears of darkness, predators, and hunger alongside trust, identity, the roots of violence—making it an captivating survival story along with an insightful reflection on the human experience.
The harsh landscapes of the film, alongside the constructed language, emphasize the film’s commitment to authenticity. This shows that horror is not solely based on monsters, but is also rooted in atmosphere and psychology. In this film’s case, the more terrifying notion is the relentless cycles of fear and aggression that persist within humanity, an instinct that has plagued us since our origin.
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